Theodore Roosevelt Vs Wilson

The Progressive Era of the United States, stretching approximately from 1900 to 1920, featured two presidents in particular that were dedicated to using reformative means in order to help build America as a world power. Theodore Roosevelt, a rogue adventurer, and Woodrow Wilson, a more careful scholar, differed in foreign and domestic policy alike. Their contradicting personalities were reflected by the way they handled their presidencies. However, they had key similarities in their shared goal of balancing power and the effect they had on America’s growth. Both Roosevelt and Wilson had physical obstacles to overcome at a young age. Roosevelt had asthma, yet pushed himself to complete physical activities anyways. (Solheim, 72) Wilson, on

Roosevelt’s ideas were known as more realistic, and in many ways, more successful. Theodore Roosevelt’s New Nationalism reflected ideas for big business to boost America’s economic success and worldwide power, big labor unions to protect the people, and big government to keep it all regulated. In contrast, Woodrow Wilson’s New Freedom reflected nearly the opposite: small business, small labor unions, and small government. It respected the free market and state’s rights. (Solheim, 79) As previously stated, both of these progressive ideals calls for a balance of power, but in ways that are humorously opposite. Roosevelt’s domestic policy was known as the Square Deal. He aimed to bust powerful corporate trusts, passed laws to ensure the safety of food and drugs, and federally protected millions of acres of land, preserving America's natural resources. He also helped laborers to get a “fair shake at the negotiating table.” (Brands, 337) Wilson also did much to help America’s domestic situation, such as creating the Federal Reserve and advocating women’s suffrage. He expanded upon

Roosevelt saw America as more of a global arbitrator, settling disputes and standing as a world leader with its influence. Wilson saw America as something to be emulated globally, and he wished to spread influence that way. Roosevelt’s Big Stick foreign policy called for American intervention whenever there was injustice or arguable right to do so. He sent America’s navy to defend American interests in the Pacific and the Caribbean, and intervened in Latin America with the addition of the Roosevelt Corollary in the the Monroe Doctrine. On the other hand, with the threat of World War I looming over Wilson’s presidency, Wilson initially backed the idea of isolationism in terms of the fighting world powers. He wished to remain neutral and stay out of the war. Roosevelt did not like this, and expressed anger when Wilson remained out of war even after the British ship Lusitania––which included American passengers–– was sunk due to German U-boats. (Brands, 749) However, two years later, when re-elected, Wilson did declare war. He did so in the interest of spreading American